A MULTI-million pound care village has opened its doors to the Mail for a sneak preview of its brand new facilities.

The Oakland Village, in Hall Farm Road, Swadlincote, has now been handed over to Derbyshire County Council, and South Derbyshire District Council who will run the building with the Trident Group.

The official handover has taken place and the first residents are starting to move in.

Work started on the development in 2010, with the aim of creating a focal point for older people’s services in the area and high quality, purpose-built accommodation for the over 55s.

The Oakland Village is made up of 88 one and two-bedroomed modern, purpose-built extra care apartments with 24/7 on-site care, available to rent, buy or as shared ownership. It also has a specialist community care centre made up of 16 long-term residential care beds for older people including expert care for people with dementia and 16 short-term residential care beds to help people return home or stay at home – including respite care and rehabilitation.

It includes day care – including activities aimed at older people to promote health and wellbeing such as chair-based exercise classes, themed sessions for people with dementia and their carers, support for carers, walking and dancing groups. A health and wellbeing zone will be on site offering advice on health, diet, fitness and finance, including benefits, open to the public.

It also includes health treatment and clinic rooms, a café/bistro and bar for residents and the public, a gym, a shop, a hairdressing salon for residents and the public, community rooms for hire by local groups and organisations, and landscaped gardens.

Councillor Charles Jones, cabinet member for adult care, said “We’re very pleased to take official ownership of Oakland Village with our partners.

“This is a superb development which has been designed and built to the highest specification.”